Mixing apparatus



Nov. 9, 1943 E. M. O'NEILL 2,333,951

MIXING APPARATUS Filed QCt. 16, 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet l INVEN T02. fd mr MUWe/W flea/WU ATTORNEY Nov. 9, 1943. E. M. ONElLL 2,333,951

MIXING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 16, 1939 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOKJ ATTOKNEY Nov. 9, 1943.- E. MIO'NEILL 2,333,951

' MIXING APPARATUS I Filed Oct. 16, 1939 v Sheets-Sheet :5

KAT TO KNE Nov. 9, 1943. E. M. O'NEILL 2.333.951

MIXING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 16, 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTOIZ-N F Y Nov. 9, 1943.

' E. M. O'NEILL MIXING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 16, 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 l J r I l I I l I I I l l I INVEN TOR Edward/W fl/Vf/// ATTOIZNEY Nov. 9, 1943. E. M. ONEILL. 2,333,951

MIXING APPARATUS Filed OCt. 16, 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTO R.

AT TO RN EY Patented Nov. 9, 1943 umrso STATES PATENT OFFICE LHXIN'G APPARATUS Edward ONill, San Francisco, 0313.,3'5512110! to Union .Machine Company, San Francisco, Calif., a corporation of California.

Application October 16, 1939, Serial No. 299,677

' (c1. ass- 1) 2 "Claims.

This invention relates t'o-an apparatus for mak- 'ing mixtures; such for example as for mixing the ingredients of paints, lacquers, enamels or the like, in order to :s'ecui'e a predetermined color.

It is clear that in order to ensure availability of all the various tints, or colors ofisuch paints, which are ready mixed, it is "necessary to provide a very large stock. It is one'of the obfiects o-f this invention to obviate the necessity of carrying such large stocks, and especially by providing a color mixer, in which any of a limited number of so-calied primary colors can be used in a wide variety of compositions. Thus with as few as fifteen selected colors, many thousands of colors can be produced. 1

By the aid of this invention, the previously determined formula for each color combination, prescribing use of some of the ingredient colors provided, may be readily followed in a simple manner. It is only necessary to use the prescribed quantities of each of the constituent colors; and prepared tabulations, for various sized paint cans, may be utilized, setting forth "the measured amounts of :each necessary constituent color to be included in the final :mixture.

lItis another object of this invention to make it possiblein a simple manner, to perform these measuring-operations.

In general, the apparatus for performing the mining operation may conveniently incorporate a table, supporting the cans in which the constituent colors are located, and having provisions for positioning one of the cans at a discharging position, where a stationary mixing table is provided. The containers or cans should be caname of being readily removed and replaced in the apparatus, as well as to be readily controlled to discharge the desired amount of its paint or color. it is accordingly another object of this invention to :proVide a can or container structure that fulfills these requirements in a very satisfactory manner.

In order to ensure uniformity in results, it is essential that the constituent-colors be thoroughly agitated immediately prior to the mixing operation. It is still another object of this invention to provide an effective and reliable agitator mechanism and agitator drive, that is simple, in-

expensive and capable of rapidly and simultaneously agitating all of the colors.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and :has other objects which may be made more easily apparent from a consideration of several embodiments of the invention. For this purpose there are shown a few forms in the draw' ings accompanying and :forming part of the present specification. These forms will now be described in detail, illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to 'be taken in a limiting sense, "since the scopeof the invem tion is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation of an apparatus in corporating the invention;

Fig. :2 is a top .plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, a portion oithe apparatus being broken away in order better to expose sorm'of the elements thereof; v f

Fig. 3 is a sectional view, taken along iplane 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken along plane -4-4 of Fig. 2; r

Fig. 5 'lS a sectional view, taken along plane 5*50f Fig. 3.; f 1

Fig. 6 is a sectional view, taken along i-plane 6 6 of Fi 5; g

Fig. '7 is a sectional view, taken along plane h of Fig. '5;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view, taken along plane 8 8 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary-view,-=taken along plane 8--9 of Fig. 3, the agitatorshaftbeing shortened in order to reduce the size of the figure, and the container being omitted;

Fig. -1-0 is an enlarged 'seetiona-ljview, taken, along plane iii-4B of 2 Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along plane |l- Il-of Fig. 3 r

Fig. 12 is a sect-ionalview taken aion'g. .pla-rr'e I2'i2:of Fig. 3;; Y v

Fig. 1 3 is a view, mainly-in elevation, illustrating the manner in which the color or tint containers are supported by the aid-of a table;

Fig. 14 is a sectional view, takengalong-the plane M- M ofFig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a sectional view l5-I-5 of Fig. 13.;

Fig..16 is a fragmentary enlarged front elevation of the valve mechanism utilized in non-nection with the container illustrated in Fig. 13.;

Fig. 17 is a sectional view taken-along {plane 11-11 of Fi .1-6;

Fig. 18 is an elevation of amodified form-70f container that maybe utilized in connection with the apparatus illustrated in Figs. 1., 2 and :3; and Fig. 19 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along plane l9l9 of Fig. 18. I

The apparatus a a Whole is generally shown taken along plane in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. In these figures, a flat table it carries.

I is illustrated which serves to support a series of containers 2 detachably. This table I may conveniently be made from sheet. metal. The supporting structuremay be described especially in connection with Figs. 1 and 3. The table I has a generally circular configuration and may be provided with a central sleeve 3 (Fig. 3).

, Overlying the table I and vertically spaced above it, is another sheet metal member 4, serving as a bracket or shelf for supporting some of .the parts of the apparatus, as hereinafter described. The bracket 4 as well as the table I may be welded to opposite ends of the sleeve or pipe 3. The member 4 is arranged to overlie and close the opening through the sleeve 3.

The table structure incorporating the parts I, 3 and 4, is arranged to-be angularly adjustable about the axis 5 of a pedestal 3. This pedestal 6 extends upwardly into the sleeve 3 where it serves as a journal bearing for the sleeve. Pedestal 6 I6 formed in the table I. Upward movement of the containers .2 is limited by the bail-lugs I I,

' illustrated at 2| may be utilized, fastened to the;

may be in the form of a hollow pipe, capped at its upper end by a cap member 'I having a convex top surface. The bracket member 4 rests by gravity at its center, upon the cap I; and the sleeve 3 has a running fit over the pedestal 5. In this way the table structure may be angularly adiusted manually or otherwise, as required in the use of the apparatus.

- The pedestal 6, as shown most clearly in Fig. 1, may be supported in a base 8 having a wide flange 3 by the aid of which it may be secured to a supporting surface, such as a floor I0. Thus the entire apparatus may be conveniently located in a paint shop, or other locationswhere it is desired to provide a definite mixture, incorporating liquid, such as paint, from any one or more of the liquid containers 2.

, Thearrangement is such that by rotation of the structure, any of the containers or cans 2 may be brought into a desired position for discharging an ingredient or constituent from the can. For this purpose the cans or containers 2, as shown most clearly in Fig. 2, are arranged in an annular manner about the axis 5- of rotation ofthe table structure. In the present instance provisions are made for fifteen containers 2 to be releasably supported by the table I. These .co'ntainers may be in the form of conventional paint cans, each oneappropriately labeled with the number or; name of the color constituent which Each of the cans or'containers 2 is furthermore provided with some valve means to permit discharging oi the color constituent into any desired container, such as illustrated at H,

Figs." 1, 2. 3 and 5. By angular adjustment of the position of the table, any one of the containers 2 may be brought in appropriate cooperating position with respect to the container or can I I. The manner in which this container or can II is supported will be described hereinafter.

' Each of the containers 2, as shown in Figs. 2,

13 and 14, depend through a respective aperture 01' table I, thus limit downward movement or the containers 2 through the corresponding apertures which engage the lower surface of the table I.

By providing the aperture I3 with radially extending slots I3, I9 .and 23 (Fig. 14) the projections I2 as well as the ears I4 and bolt I5 may be passed upwardly through these slots from below table I. In order to limit the counterclockwise movement 01 the containers 2, stop pins such as table I. In case the liquid or other material in the containers 2 is agitated by paddles, the tendency for the containers to rotate with the liquid is thus appropriately nullified,

As thus far described, it is apparent that the tablestructure I, 3, 4, may be angularly adjusted to bring any one or the containers 2 into coopera: tive relation with a carrot container II seas to enable the operator to permit theflcw of liquid from any one of these containers into the-can II.

The control of the passage of liquid out 0! the containers 2 is provided by the aid 01 valve structures located near the bottom of the cans. I These valves may be best described in connection'with Figs. 13, 15, 16 and ,18.

Thus there is provided lavalve body 22,.which has an arcuate rear surface 23 conforming with the exterior surface ofthe container 2. Inter- I posed between the body :22 and the container 2 may be a sealing gasket 24, such as of cork or the like. The body 22 may be held nrmlvin place near the bottom of the container 2 by the can.

and '31, having flat surfaces.

The body 22 is provided with a through port 3|, placed in communication with the interior of the container 2, in a manner to bedescrlbed. The outer face 32 of the valve body22 is shown as being provided with the bosses 35 Port 3| extends through boss 35. Forming a closure for the port 3| is a member 33. This member 33 in the form oi. a metal plate,-lying closely over the boss 35, is adapted to move in a direction transverseto theport 3I,';and is shown as provided with a lower knife edge 34. This knife edge 34 ensures that the discharge'through the port 3| will be cut of! sharply, as closure 33 moves downwardly past the port. Tholowcr edge of boss 35 is formed. with a converging point 48 to guide the how of liquid in o. more uniform stream. Closure member 33 is urgedlaterally against the boss 35 by resilient means in a manner to be hereinafter described. In

this way it is ensured. that a tight closure of: the valve is secured.- t

Closure member 33 is pivotally mounted on a stationary stud 3B threaded into the body 22, in the center of boss 31.

7 Resilient means are .pro- 7 vided for urging the closure member in a where the color, or tint;from that-desired container may be passedinto the container II.

When used in connection with paints it is also quiteimportant to ensure that the constituent or ingredient colors in the fifteen containers 2 may not settle to the bottom of the can. ,For this purpose an agitator mechanism is provided. Thus as shown most clearly in Figs. 3 and ,9, an agitator spindle 'l5 ,is shown as associated with each can or container 2. Preferably some packing for the spindle I5 is provided for, to ensure that the paint or other liquid will notbe splashed through cover 50. Thus as indicated most clearly in Fig. ,9, a packing material I6, surrounding spindle I5, maybe disposed in a packing housing 11, fastened to the toner the cover 50 as by the flange I8.

' The agitator spindle 151 carries at its lower end the agitator paddle I9. This agitator paddle I9 may be formed ofa flat metal bar having an intermediate portion 80 fitted into a'slot in, the end of thespindle I5. The bar I9 on opposite sides ofthe member 80 may be bent in opposite directions, so that the. broad surfaces of the paddle lie in planes oblique to the axis of spindle I5, asillustrated most clearly in Fig. 9. The portion 80 may be brazed inplace in the lower end of the spindle I5. The agitator bar I9 is arranged to be disposed; adjacent the bottom of the respective containers 2. It is rotated in. a counterclockwise direction, by a power transmission which will now be, described. Y

Each of the spindles I5 is provided witha driving pulley structure, shown to best advantage in Figs. 2,. 3 and 9. The spindle I5 is'shown as detachably connected to the lower end of its corresponding stem 8|. The lower end of stemv 8| for this purpose is provided with a central.

threaded aperture 82, within which thethreaded end 8801? the spindle I5 may be accommodated. An enlarged recess is provided in the bottom of the stem 8| within which the upper cylindrical portion ofthe spindle 15 may be accommodated.

The shoulder formed at the top of spindle I5 around end 83 seats accuratelyin-the bottom of the recess 84. ,To' facilitate coupling and uncoupling of the spindle 15 from the stem 8|, a through aperture 85 may be provided through the upper endof the spindle I5, for the accommodation of 'a pin to serve as a handle. s

Thus, if desired, as forexample for purposes of cleaning or filling or replacing any container,

, the spindle I5.may be disconnected from the stem 8|, and then the container 2 with the spindle I5 may be removed asra unit fromthe table I.

l The stem III is journaled within a standard 86 (Fig. 9). This standard is shown'as being provided with a lower, reduced portion 81, forming a shoulder 88. This shoulder 88 rests upon the top of the shelf member '4. Standard 86 .may be held tightly in place uponflthe shell 4 as by the aid of. anut 89, accommodated on the threaded portion 90 of the cylindrical extension 9|.

Interposed between the'stem 8| and the standard 86 are one or more bearing bushings 92, 93. These bushings may be made of self-lubricating material such as oilite. In order to keep these bushings properly saturated, oil may be supplied to them as. through the oiling apertures 94', 95. Oilingaperture connects with an annular re- .cess 96 in standard 86', surrounding the bushing 92. The oiling aperture 95 is in communication with the annular space between thestandard 86 and thestem 8|. Through this annular space the oil may drop to the lower bearing bushing; 98. w

The I upper end of stem 94 3 arranged to. be connected to the hub 91 obs. driving pulley structure 98. For example, the radial s vided. These disks may. be telescoped over or splined to the upper end 01' the hub 91; and then thehub 91 may be upset atits end to hold the sheet metal elements tightly in place. I As shown most clearly in Fig. 2, a pulley stru ture 98 is associated with each oithe agitator stems.8|. The v-belt IOI serves to drive all of the pulleyv structures 98. For this. purpose the V-belt IIII is shown as in driving contact with the outer edges of each of the pulley structures 98. The belt IIII makes a reversebend, as indicated at I02, so as to pass around a driving pulley I08.

'Thispulley is shown to best advantage mm. 10.

The driving pulley I08, due to the reverse bend I02, engages that side a: .the belt I02 which is out of engagement with the pulley structures 88. Accordingly, this outer surface of the belt MI is also made wedge-shaped, providing a double v-' belt arrangement I All of the agitator structures, for all of the containers 2, are driven in the same direction; that is, in a counterclockwise direction.

tending to urge the projections I2 oi. these containers against the stop pins 2| (Fig. 2).

For driving the pulley I88 and thereby trans-' mitting power to the stems II, this pulley structure I03 is formed as one element of a step P lley. Another element or the step pulley is pulley struc- A source or power. such 'as a small vertical electric motor III '(Figs. 1, 2 and) may be-belt' connected to the pulley element I04. For supporting the motor |III',-a bracket structure III is utilizedhaving four uprightarms H2. :At the top-oi each o tjthesearmsthere is a boss lillor the accommodation 01' the studs Ill which pass into the' end irame II! 01' the motor IIO.I Nuts H6 and III serve to malntain the motor Illse curely in place on top of the arms III.

The motor shaft at its lower end, carriesla' V-pulley H8. Thisfpulley is in driving relation- V-belt I I9. I I p There is thus obtained a double reduction from the motor shaft to the agitator mechanism. One

with the pulley structure I04 as by the aid of the reduction is secured by the aid or the small drlv- I ing pulley I I8 on the motor shaft driving a comparatively large diameter .driven pulley structure- IM; and the small pulley structure I03, joinedto pulley I04, drives the larger pulley structures 98.

The paddles I9 are thus given'a rate of rotation I that is not too violent. without the necessity of reduction gearing.

Provisions are made for. tightening both oi the belts m and .I I9 shnultancously. his clear that set. screw 99 may be used to form this .con-

if the axis of the stub shaft I 25 be moved radially inwardly, such a movement will serve to tighten the belt IOI,,while belt I I9 would be loosened. Butif at the same time the motor III! is moved sufliciently in a direction upwardly as viewed in Fig. 2', the belt I I9 maybe nevertheless tightened. Both of these tightening movements can be obtained by providing a floating support for shaft I and by moving the motor IIII upwardly as viewed in Fig. 2. I p a For this purpose, the stub shaft I05 is shown as carried by a disk I22, as by being firmly fixed in a boss I20, formed integrally with the disk I22. The shaft I05 is held tightly in said boss I20, as by being riveted over at its end I 2I. Disk I22 is mounted for angular motion about an eccentric axis I23 parallel to, but spaced from the axis of the boss I20. 7 r

In order to provide this supporting axis I23, the eccentric disk I22 is provided with another boss I24, into which is fastened astub shaft I25. This stub shaft has an enlarged journal portion I28 journaled in the shelf member 4. It also is provided witha threaded end I2'I. Over this end is disposed a nut I28, acting against a limiting washer or collar I 29 arranged below the shelf 4.

As indicated most clearly in Fig. 2, and considering that the axis I23 is fixed, an upward movement of the motor III! will serve simultaneously to move thestub shaft I05 angularly about the axis I 23, in an upward direction. This movement of the motor IIII can be made sufficiently great to take the slack out of both of the belts I0! and H9, as hereinbefore described.

The manner in which the motor IIII may be moved for accomplishing this result is illustrated to best advantage in Figs. 2 and 11. Thus the bracket III which supports the motor II 0, is shown as provided with a pair of feet I and I30, resting on shelf member 4. These feet are slotted for the accommodation of bolts I31, I32, which pass through appropriate apertures in the shelf member 4. I, These bolts are provided with the nuts I 33', operating to clamp the feet "9,130 to member 4. When the nuts, however, are loosened, the bracket III may he moved within the limits prescribed by the slots, as by the aid of an adjusting bolt I34 (Figs. 2.and, 3). This. adjusting bolt is journaled in a standard, I35, fastened as by the aid of an integrally formed stud I38 to the top of the shelf member .4. p The adjusting bolt "4 threadedly engages the threaded boss I31 formed integrally with the'bracket III. When the apparatus is used for-mixing paints or lacquers or the like, it is advantageousto make it possible to pass either a, paint or a lacquer thinner into the container I I, supplemental to the ingredients from container 2. Accordingly tanks or cans are provided, appropriately supportedon top of the shelf member 4, forthis purpose. Thus a container I38 for paint thinner may be supported on the shelf 4 as by the aid of the brackets I39. A similar container I40 for lacquer thinner may be supported on the other side of the center of the shell. member 4-. Leading from these coritainers are the pipe conduits MI and Iflwhich converge adjacent theedge of table I. The conduits I41 and I42 thence extend through appropriately' formed apertures inthe shelf and the table I. They maybe clamped together as by the aid of several twin clamps I43 beneath the table I. At their lower extremity, they accommodate the manually operable plug valves I44. Thus these plug valves have outlet spout extending downwardly in position to discharge the thinner into the container II, when the table I is turned angularly to the proper position. I

It is advantageous to make it possible to measure or somehow indicate or determine 7 the amount of liquid discharged respectively from those containers 2 which carry the color of tints orother liquid needed to be included in the desire-d mixture. For this purpose a float gauge arrangement is utilized, shown to best advantage in Figs. 3, 5, 6, 7 and-8. By the aid of this arrangement the prescribed amount of the ingredients to be included in the-'mixturemay be quite accurately gauged, and the delivery of the tint or the color, or other-liquid may be stopped soon asthe required amount is passed into the container II. l.

For this purpose a float I45 (Fig. 5) maybe utilized, which is carried at the lower end of a float stem or pin M6. The float I45 andfthestem I46 are preferably made from as light material as practicable, to ensure a high degree of ac curacy. For example, theflcat. I45 may be made of balsa Wood, and the stem I45 may be made of thin aluminum tubing.

The top surface I41 of the, float stem I46 may be utilized as a gauging surface in a manner to be hereinafter described. The float stem- Me is guided-so as to permit the float I45 readily to reach .a position corresponding to thelevel of the liquid I48 in container II. For this purpose the float stem I45, as shown most clearly in Fig. 7, is guided by a guide bushing I49. This guide bushing is hollow. At its 'upper end it is provided with a flange I59 having a rounded inner edge serving as a guide aperture, and providing an easy sliding fit for the stem I46 at the top of the guide bushing. The guide I45- is firmly held in place on a bracket, I5I, in amanncr to be hereinafter described. This bracket I5I. is supported on an upright rod I52, press-fitted at its lower end in the boss I53 on table or platform Fall. The bracket I5I is provided with a boss I54 through which the rod. I52 extends. The boss IE4 is accurately reamed in order to provide a good fit betweenthe rod I52and the bracket I5 I. This bracket I51 may be held in any vertically adjusted position, as by the aid of the thumb screw I55.

As, shown most clearly in Fig. 7, the guiding sleeve I49 has a reduced portion I56 that passes through an'aperture in the boss I5! formed. on the bracket ISI. Inthis way the guid I345 has an annular shoulder formed on it whichcontacts the top surface of the boss I51. The lower extremity of the reduced portion I is threaded for the accommodation of a knurled nut I53 for holding the guidesl'eeve I49 securely in. place. This knurled nut provides a lower guiding aperture for the. stem I46; thus the nut has a flange I59, having a rounded inner edge that. cooperone to fit. the particularfloat structure utilized,

annular recesses 62 are especially useful when a small can is used in lieu: of can if. The recess for the lower beads of such small cans ensures that these cans will be in proper cooperative position with respect to the float gauge structure. v

now be set forth.

The top gauging surface I41 of the float structure rises as the level of the. liquid I48 rises in the container II. This gaugingsurface I41 is arranged to cooperate with any of a plurality of scales formed on a gauge rodI 60,- placed adjacent stem I46. In the present instance this gauge rod is shown as square in section, buthaving a lower rounded portion I6 I and reduced rounded portion I62. This rounded portion I62 may be accommodated withingan aperture I63 in the boss I51 of bracket II. The gauge rod I60 is placed close to the float stem I46 so that it is comparatively easy to sight along the gauging surface 7 I41 and make a reading on the gauge rod I60.

Furthermore, it is possible readily to turn the bar I60 about its axis in aperture I63, so as to make it possible to utilize different scale markings with the gauging surface I41; For example,

the smaller the can,-the less Volume isrepresented by a unit of variation in liquid level. Thus in the present instance, eachof the four sides of the rod I60 maybe marked with appropriate scale markings,such as I64 corresponding respectively to the sizes of the container I I that is disposed on the mixing platform 60. r

In order to facilitate the measurement of the liquid entering intocontainer, II, an adjustable stop collar I65 may be utilized, to cooperate with the gauging surface I41; This stop collar may be made of light material such as aluminum. At its lower edge, itcarrlesa flange I66 overlying the gauging surface I41." The collar I65 may be readily adjusted along the rod I60 and held in adJusted position as by the aid of the strong flat spring I61 disposed within the collar and being set close underth valves on containers fastened thereto as by the rivet I66. The free ends of the spring I61 press against one of the flat surfaces of the square rod I60. In this way the spring I61 urges the internal cylindrical surface I69 of the collar I65 against the comers I10, I1I of the rod I60. Thus collar I65 is maintained in place by friction. V

The lower surface of flangefl66 of collar I65 may be brought ito the desired graduation mark on scale I64, as prescribed by the mixture to be obtained, and liquid may then be discharged from a container 2 and until the level ofthe liquid or paint in container II causes the gaugin surface I41 to arrive at the lower surface of fla ge I66. 7. V

For guard purposes, the belt and pulley transmission may be covered as by the aid of a guard I12 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3). This guard I12 is in the form or a hollow annulus open at the bottom. It is telescoped within the upstanding flange I13 of the member 4 and they annularguard covers all of the pulley structures 98. It may be provided with appropriate apertures to permit the passage of the belt IM to the pulley I03; as

' well as for the conduits HI and I42 of the containers I38, I40. The guard I12 may be held in place as by the aidof one or more clips I15 (Fig; 2) fastenedto the top of'the shelf memberl. I

The apparatus is designed generally for facilitating the makingof mixture from specified ingredients; it is especially applicable to the mixing of paints, varnishes, lacquers, enamels, etc. The mannerof usefor this specific purpose may For example, it has been diilicult to match exactly the colors for automobile, lacquer finishes unless a large stock of colors is kept. Byapproprlate choice of color ingredients in "the fifteen containers 2, it is possible to 'match'suchcolors very closely. jThe colors "and; the formulasire-v quired to produce them by the aid of any group of the fifteen constituents may be .listedin a color table. Such a'table may list the "cars by name, color, and year; and associated with each of these, may be a tablastating where the collar I65 must be placed with the'proper' scale,

in succession foreach ingredient to be added.

The mannerlof setting the bracket III at the correct height along rod I52, prior to theseme'asurementamay also be described. I First of all, the

latform is placed ataconvenient heightto correspond with the size of can II, the top edge 2. The float I45 is then dropped to the bottom of the empty can II. a so thatthe proper scale for; the-size of can II is in position behind the pin or stem I46.

The bracket I5I is now set so that the. zero mark on thescale will lac-slightly above the gauging surface I41'(of about the order ofo'ne fourth of an inch), Clamp screw I55 is then tightened. Collar I65 is moved to the zero mark. The table I is now angularly' moved until petcocks I44 are directly over the can I I. That cock is opened which corresponds to the. proper thinner con- The thinner added at the beginning of th operation is not of sumcientlamount to prevent closing the can II with the usual friction cover.

.Some care inust be taken to position floatv I45 at the side of can II.".1.It mustbe so located;s0

thatiit can be readily removed from a fullrlcan' II without disturbing it. If. thefloatis not. located properly,incoming,col0r ,will pour on top I whens claimed is: V s. p

1; In apparatus oI'the-character described, a

of the float-and thereby. disturb its operation.-

table having a circularaperture therein, theorize of said aperture having aplurality of. slots there in, acontainer adapted to enter into said aper-v ture; projections carried by said container adapted to pass-through said slots, and to contact one surface of the table, and one or more projections on said container adapted to lie against the oppo-v site surface of the table. 1

2. In apparatus of the character described, a table having acircular aperturetherein, the e ge of said aperture havinga plurality of slots therein. a container adapted torenter into said aperture, projections carried by said container adaDted to pass through said slots, and to -contact one surface of thetablaand one or more projections on saidcontain'er adaptedto lie'againat the opposite surface of' the table, said projections serving to hold said containerflrmly to the whic Gauge rod I60is turned 

